Self Identity Ho'oponopono

(Ho�oponopono is actually a Hawaiian magical system, but I�ve put it in this section because its beliefs are very similar to Buddhism, Daoism, and Hinduism)

Good morning everyone!  

I work at a library, and one of the many perks of working here is that I a free access to a number of audiobooks.  Normally, I dislike them, but I found that listening to some of the motivational books while I work helps ease stress.  As I have officially graduated, I can actually afford to devote this time to all of the spiritual and magical research I had been promising my self for years, so I looked in our library�s catalog and found a few interesting things.  I listened to The Secret, and while I agreed with many things, it lacked the actual �how to� aspects.  I read some of the early 20th Century sources (most are available on Google Books), but I wanted to fill in my work time with some audiobooks.  I found that my library has a couple of audiobooks by Joe Vitale, a prominent lecturer in The Secret.  We have his two most famous books, The Attractor Factor (written before The Secret) and Zero Limits (written after The Secret).  I randomly chose Zero Limits for the work day a couple days ago.

In this book, Vitale presents a Hawaiian magical system called self-identity Ho�oponopono. He learned this system from a Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len.  Len learned this system from a Hawaiian shaman named Morrnah Simeona.  Ho�oponopono literally means �to make right.�  It is a variation of traditional Ho�oponopono, in which when a conflict arises within a family, all of the family members join together to communicate their issues and forgive each other as a group.  So, here�s a brief synopsis the system�s point of view and how it works:

Everything you perceive in life you have attracted to you, in fact, it is within you.  You are completely responsible and accountable for everything that happens within your life.  The things that happen within your life are influenced by one of two things.  Things occur either as the result of a programmed memory that causes you to think or feel in a certain way, or your actions are the result of Divine inspiration.

The word, �memory,� means a bit more in this system than what one would standardly think.  In Ho�oponpono, memory refers not only to your personal memories, but to the group memories that are believed to be shared with your lineage and all of humanity.  These memories are programs that many times cause us to ignore or react against Divine inspiration, which saturates our every moment, though we tend to ignore it. The goal of Ho�oponopono is to cleanse ourselves of memories so that we are completely open to the Divine.        

Here�s the catch (in case you haven�t grasped it yet)�you are completely accountable for everything brought into your life.  That means not only illness and death, but also annoying people, violent people, etc�  Because everything you experience is a part of you, manifested by your thoughts and feelings, you must pursue a perpetual regiment of cleansing in order to cleanse such things from your experience.  To rephrase in a different way, you can never directly help someone.  The only way to help anything is by cleansing yourself of the negative memories and programs causing these things. By cleansing yourself, you cleanse all that you perceive, as it is your creation.  When someone comes to you in tears over debt or honks their horn furiously at you in traffic, within this system, you do not criticize the person, judge them, or try to help them directly because the problem is not with them, it�s with you.  You ask yourself, �What have I done to cause this debt or fury in this person�s life?�  And, as you are accountable, you cleanse yourself of these negative behaviors that are rooted in a specific shared memory.

The cleansing ritual is pretty easy.  At its center, there is a prayer that is meant to be spoken whole or in part throughout the day to constantly cleanse one�s self.  It is as follows:

I love you.
I am sorry.
Please forgive me.
Thank you.

When you say this, you are saying �I love you� to the Divine.  When you say you are sorry, you are not apologizing for the person and their behavior�but for your indulgence in a memory that caused this behavior or feeling to manifest.  You are asking forgiveness from the Divine for bringing this into reality, and thanking to show gratitude.  Although it is supposed to work better if you feel what you are saying, the prayer is supposed to help cleanse you simply by saying it.  Okay, I felt really stupid when I first tried this out, but I figured there would be no harm done by trying.  I have to say, in the very short time I have been doing this, I have been less stressed out during the day and it really is helpful when dealing with aggressive people.  Plus, when is it ever a bad thing to say or think �I love you� on a regular basis?

The idea is that by constantly cleansing yourself of memories, you open yourself completely to a state of Divine inspiration, which brings true wonder into your life.  However, cleansing is a thing you must constantly perform as frequently a possible to remain in this state.  There are some other cleansing rituals as well.  There are some websites related to the system, but I really didn�t think most them grasped the system.  Overall, I thought it was a lot like much of the common systems of magic with the big exception that fulfillment of life is entrusted to the Divine, not one�s intent.  It�s an odd mixture of the familiar and the new, but I liked it.

I think the reason why I was attracted to this system is that it is a combination of all of the belief systems I find attractive.  I don�t know that I can fully appreciate complete culpability for all in my reality just yet, but one of the things I really like about Judaism is that you are ultimately responsible for your life.  The perspective of the Divine and the ultimate goal of life is very similar to Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Daoism.  There are even a number of little rituals that appeal to me.  I think adopting and adapting some of the practices at the very least help cultivate compassion within a person.    

Since I�ve not seen much information on it aside from the books and lectures, I thought I would start a post for anyone who may know of this system or have any questions about it.  I think the general practice is actually very well-suited for an internet forum.  It�s the same principal as when there is a request from an ODSS member in trouble for energy.  As this is an eclectic board, I thought I would go ahead and add some information.  While I do see that the system has a lot of commercialized characteristics, I think the general philosophy is intriguing. Below are some websites on self-identity Ho�oponopono.

http://www.hooponoponotheamericas.org/index.htm
http://spiritualcompassconnection.com/hooponopono.html
http://www.powerfulintentions.org/profiles/blog/show?id=1335877:BlogPost:216489&page=1#comment-1335877:Comment:218076
 
It�s been mentioned a couple times in our castle, as well:
http://www.paganliving.org/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=5206&highlight=hooponopono
http://www.paganliving.org/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=4329&highlight=hooponopono

I really can identfy with this principle: "The idea is that by constantly cleansing yourself of memories, you open yourself completely to a state of Divine inspiration, which brings true wonder into your life. " It spoke volumes to me...

I would be very interested in picking up the book "Zero Limits."

Thank you for bringing this to the forum. I beleive it can assist many of the members here, including myself. It is very valuable information in this time of change.

May love and laughter dance in your path!

[Ho�oponopono Cleansing Items and Rituals

Blue Solar Water: According to Len, blue solar water is an excellent substance for cleansing. �To make blue solar water, put water in a blue glass container that is sealed with a cork or plastic wrap (not a metal top). Place the water in full sun for at least an hour. �Use this water in any way you normally use water�drinking, cooking, cleaning, etc.

Pencil Cleansing Ritual: Write the problem you are contemplating on a piece of paper. �Chant the prayer �I love you, I am sorry, please forgive me, and thank you� while tapping the pencil eraser on the written problem and contemplating how and why this problem manifested in you. �Remember, all conflict or negativity you notice is a shared programmed memory�it is a problem that must be transmuted within you. � � �

Ho�oponopono Prayer

�Infinite Divine Creator, if I , my relatives, or ancestors did ever offend You or Your children by thought, word, or deed, from the beginning of Creation to the present, we sincerely ask forgiveness of You and all concerned. Forgive all our errors and offenses. Forgive all our guilts and resentments. Forgive all blocks and attachments we ever created.�

Breathing Exercise

If you are familiar with any Far Eastern tradition, you know the power of breathing exercises in focusing the mind and body. �Ho�oponopono uses a simple breathing exercise to help calm and clear one of memories so that one can be fully open to Divine inspiration. �This is referred to as �Ha� breathing. To do this, breathe in deeply until the count of ten. Hold the breath for the count of ten. Then, release to the count of ten. �Do this �you guessed it�ten times.

How interesting. I have been told that I attract a lot of negativity, so according to this I manifest negativity on myself? I can get rid of this negativity by chanting "I love you, I'm sorry, please forgive me, and thank you".  Doing this will erase memories that manifest the negativity. You know I have been trying to erase negativity for years. I do this by cleaning my chakras, and purifying myself. This works, but I a m very interested in these teachings. I will have to give it a try.

Ya know, i have been trying this and it really does help out a lot
whenever I remember something that I didn't like or feel guilty about, I say the prayer and feel better immediately! Thanks for the tip!

I'm glad it works for you. As commercialized as the technique is, I have to admit, I do get results when I remember to use it.

This makes me think back to something I wrote in my book of cool thoughts.

"Forgiven? Would it be inhuman not to forgive? Would you ever forgive someone who couldn't forgive you? All the sins I have committed, and all the rage I've felt inside....To live with myself, I have to forgive at least one person, and that is me."

I've started telling others about the technique!

Cool thought, Bluelolliepop.  

i've recently found refreshing relief employing forgiveness throughout the day from myself to myself for not doing what i think i should be doing, while noticing that what i AM spending my time on is usually an equally, if not moreso, worthwhile cause. since i'm at home most days with the kids, it's granted me a lot of relief for not having the house chores in perfect status all the time right now.

i've read on ho'oponopono before, and am looking forward to asking a greater forgiveness from the divine; if i can rush a sensation of pure relief through my awareness just by forgiving myself, I bet the divine will wash me right away!